Systems, methods, and computer program products for collecting and reporting sensor data in a communication network

ABSTRACT

A system for collecting and reporting sensor data in a communication network includes a microprocessor coupled to a memory and an electronic storage device. The microprocessor receives sensor data from sensors, and stores the sensor data for each sensor in the electronic storage device. The microprocessor also receives, via the communication network, a data reporting instruction defining a data reporting technique corresponding to the sensor data associated with one or more of the sensors. The data reporting instruction is stored in the electronic storage device, and the microprocessor transmits, to a trust mediator over the communication network, at least a portion of the sensor data based on the data reporting instruction. The trust mediator maintains an acceptable level of security for data throughout the communication network by adjusting security safeguards based on the sensor data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/640,183, filed on Dec. 17, 2009, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to information security systems,and more particularly, to systems, methods, and computer programproducts for collecting and reporting sensor data in a communicationnetwork based on dynamic feedback.

2. Related Art

With the proliferation of mobile communication devices, such as mobiletelephones, financial account holders that have such devices have begunto use them to complete financial transactions. Enabling financialaccount holders to do so, however, poses unique security risks forfinancial account issuers, particularly because security capabilitiesand risks vary widely across different mobile communication devices anddifferent mobile communication networks. For example, typical paymentsystems involve point-of-sale (POS) terminals that are usually owned anddesigned by either financial transaction issuers or merchants. Incontrast, because mobile communication devices are manufactured byvarious manufacturers and can be modified by third parties, financialaccount issuers have less control and knowledge of the securitycapabilities and risks associated with them. This makes it moredifficult to control the security of financial transactions that arecompleted using mobile communication devices. Security measures varybased on particular models of mobile communication devices, thuscompounding this inherent security risk.

The risk for financial account issuers is further complicated by themobility of mobile communication devices. Each location in which mobilecommunication devices can be operated potentially has a differentsecurity environment. As a result, different security measures for eachlocation are necessary. For example, bringing a mobile communicationdevice into a foreign country may require the mobile communicationdevice to roam on a foreign mobile communication network, which hasinherently different security risks, capabilities, and othercharacteristics.

Security designers perform a labor-intensive and exhaustive analysis ofthe risks associated with each component of a new network in an attemptto safely interface their existing security system with the new network.The existing security system is often modified to accommodate the risksassociated with the new network. This process takes a substantial amountof time and thus limits the speed with which financial account issuerscan enter new markets that utilize mobile-based financial transactionnetworks. As a consequence, they can lose market share.

In addition, security designers typically assume that all securitycharacteristics and risks of the network components will remain staticonce the system is deployed. A typical security system thus utilizes aparticular set of security measures deployed until the security systemis taken offline and either replaced or modified. In other words, ifrisks of the security system change, for example, by a breach of asecurity measure by an attacker, a maintenance window or an outage mustbe realized to enable the security system to be modified to respond to asecurity breach, patch, or upgrade. Such a system cannot adaptdynamically to various detected feedback relating to changes impactingthe security situation of the network. Typical security systems,therefore, lack the adaptability necessary to be suitable formobile-based financial transaction systems. Moreover, the staticsecurity measures of typical security systems increase the ease withwhich internal and external attackers can circumvent the securitymeasures. As payment and network systems adapt to next generationpayment and communication, the attacks and exploits will also evolveinto next generation criminal exploits.

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned security risks, enabling mobiletransactions is still a particularly attractive means for financialaccount issuers to enter the markets of non-bankable countries wherewidespread POS infrastructure is neither available nor practical.

Given the foregoing, it would be useful to be able to continuouslydetect changes in network security characteristics, and adapt based onthese detected changes to maintain an acceptable level of security forexisting and new network connections including merchants, customers, andpartners for visiting and home networks.

It also would be useful to enable business entities, such as financialaccount issuers, to enter new markets (e.g., the mobile-based financialtransaction market) with minimal modifications to their existingsecurity system, and to accept new risk scenarios with the ability tomanage magnitude of exposure by network segment, region, issuer,partner, device, and/or account across numerous device and networktypes.

In addition, it would be useful to enable the characterization ofcurrently uncharacterized (e.g., non-domestic) communication networkcomponents and/or attributes to enable adaptation to the risks tomaintain an acceptable level of security.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the above-identified needs by providingsystems, methods, and computer program products for collecting andreporting sensor data in a communication network.

Trust mediator agents, which are associated with each network component,continuously detect changes in the security characteristics of eachnetwork component using sensors and feed the detected changes back to atrust mediator. The trust mediator uses the feedback from the trustmediator agents to determine whether and how to modify currently runningsecurity safeguards in order to maintain an appropriate level ofsecurity. Modifications, if any, are communicated by the trust mediatorto the appropriate network component via its associated trust mediatoragent for implementation. The process is recursive and thus continuouslyadapts to changes in network security characteristics as they arise overtime to strike a balance between the probability of loss plus magnitudeof loss versus acceptable risk to enable business transactions tocontinue without disruption at an account level and/or at a networkcomponent level.

A business entity (e.g., a financial account issuer) can integrate newcommunication networks having new security characteristics into theirexisting network without the need to perform an exhaustive andlabor-intensive upfront analysis to estimate the security impact a newcommunication network will have on their existing network. Instead, thebusiness entity can define rules, such as a threshold of acceptablerisk, begin to communicate with the new network, and enable theirexisting security system to detect and adapt to the securitycharacteristics of the new network while maintaining the acceptable riskacceptance level. Time-to-market is reduced, and the level of riskexposed to the business entity can be managed at a minimized level.

Users' expectations regarding security measures are taken into account.Thus, if a particular security measure is too inconvenient for a user,the security measure is modified or disabled to a minimal level. Thisbalances the risk acceptance of a firm with a convenience costrepresenting user or account holder countermeasure choice, and providesthe issuer and the account holder with firm acceptable transaction riskelasticity. Alternatively, if the security measure provides too low asecurity level for the user to accept the security measure, it ismodified or replaced with a more rigorous security measure. The effectis to increase the propensity for user satisfaction and thus movementtowards equilibrium of strategy and payoff for usage of the system basedon time, location, and relevance, and results in more efficient riskmodels to increase market share for the business entity.

In one embodiment, a microprocessor coupled to a memory and anelectronic storage device receives sensor data from sensors, and storesthe sensor data for each sensor in the electronic storage device. Themicroprocessor also receives, via the communication network, a datareporting instruction defining a data reporting technique correspondingto the sensor data associated with one or more of the sensors. The datareporting instruction is stored in the electronic storage device, andthe microprocessor transmits, to a trust mediator over the communicationnetwork, at least a portion of the sensor data based on the datareporting instruction. The trust mediator maintains an acceptable levelof security for data throughout the communication network by adjustingsecurity safeguards based on the sensor data.

Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present inventionare described in detail below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary security system for adaptingsecurity measures of a communication network based on dynamic feedback,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is includes a more detailed diagram of an external terminal ofsome embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for adaptingsecurity measures of a communication network based on dynamic feedbackin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an exemplary process forcollecting data from sensors and reporting the data to a trust mediator.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system useful forimplementing the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to systems, methods and computerprogram products for collecting and reporting sensor data in acommunication network, which are now described in more detail herein interms of an example mobile payment system. This is for convenience onlyand is not intended to limit the application of the present invention.In fact, after reading the following description, it will be apparent toone skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the followinginvention in alternative embodiments (e.g., general network securitysystems, mass transit security systems, home and business securitysystems, etc.).

The terms “user,” “consumer,” “account holder,” and/or the plural formof these terms are used interchangeably throughout herein to refer tothose persons or entities capable of accessing, using, being affected byand/or benefiting from the present invention.

A “merchant” as used herein refers to any person, entity, distributorsystem, software and/or hardware that is a provider, broker and/or anyother entity in the distribution chain of goods or services. Forexample, a merchant can be a grocery store, a retail store, a travelagency, a service provider, an online merchant or the like.

A “transaction account” as used herein refers to an account associatedwith an open account or a closed account system. The transaction accountcan exist in a physical or non-physical embodiment. For example, atransaction account can be distributed in non-physical embodiments suchas an account number, frequent-flyer account, telephone calling accountor the like. Furthermore, a physical embodiment of a transaction accountcan be distributed as a financial instrument.

An “account,” “account number,” or “account code,” as used herein, caninclude any device, code, number, letter, symbol, digital certificate,smart chip, digital signal, analog signal, biometric or otheridentifier/indicia suitably configured to allow a consumer to access,interact with or communicate with a financial transaction system. Theaccount number can optionally be located on or associated with anyfinancial transaction instrument (e.g., a rewards, charge, credit,debit, prepaid, telephone, embossed, smart, magnetic stripe, bar code,transponder or radio frequency card).

The terms “financial account issuer,” “account issuer,” and “issuer,”and/or the plural forms of these terms are used interchangeablythroughout herein to refer to those persons or entities that providetransaction account(s) to account holders. For example, an issuer may bea credit card issuer, a bank, or any other financial institution.

In general, transaction accounts can be used for transactions betweenthe user and merchant through any suitable online or offlinecommunication network, such as, for example, a wired network; a wirelessnetwork; a telephone network; an intranet; the global, public Internet;and/or the like. Additionally, the user can complete transactions withthe merchant using any suitable communication device, such as apoint-of-interaction device (e.g., a point-of-sale (POS) device, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a kiosk, etc.), aradio frequency enabled transaction card, and/or the like.

A financial transaction instrument (also referred to as a “paymentdevice”) can be traditional plastic transaction cards;titanium-containing, or other metal-containing, transaction cards; clearand/or translucent transaction cards; foldable or otherwiseunconventionally-sized transaction cards; radio-frequency enabledtransaction cards; or other types of transaction cards, such as credit,charge, debit, pre-paid, or stored-value cards; or any other likefinancial transaction instrument. A financial transaction instrument canalso have electronic functionality provided by a network of electroniccircuitry that is printed or otherwise incorporated onto or within thetransaction instrument (and typically referred to as a “smart card”), orbe a fob having a transponder and an RFID reader.

The term “safeguard,” “security measure,” “security safeguard,” and/orthe plural forms of these terms are used interchangeably throughoutherein to refer to any process, hardware, software, algorithm,countermeasure, or the like, that increases security, confidentiality,and/or integrity of data communicated over communication networks. Forexample, a safeguard can be a key length, an encryption/decryptionalgorithm, a checksum, a hash function, an access level, a passwordrequirement, a fingerprint requirement, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary security system 100 for adaptivelysecuring mobile communication device transactions in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, security system100 includes both internal network components 118 and external networkcomponents 120. Internal network components 118 are network componentsthat are internal to an issuer network. External network components 120are network components that are external to the issuer network.

External network components 120 include an external terminal 102, whichis any electronic communication device a consumer can use as aninterface to complete a financial transaction with a merchant. Examplesof types of financial transactions user 122 may request include apurchase at a point-of-sale (POS) device, a transfer of funds from anaccount of user 122 to that of another user, a mobile-to-mobile fundtransfer, a transfer of funds between two accounts commonly owned byuser 122, a request for data stored in one of internal networkcomponents 118 in association with an account of user 122, a request tomodify data stored in one of internal network components 118 inassociation with an account of user 122, etc. For example, externalterminal 102 can be a point-of-sale (POS) device, a kiosk, or a mobilecommunication device such as a mobile telephone, a personal computer, aPOS device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computingdevice, a radio frequency enabled transaction card, or the like.

Another external network component 120 is a visiting network 110, whichis any electronic communication network that is communicatively coupledto external terminal 102 and one or more internal network components118. Example visiting networks 110 include a mobile telephone carriernetwork, an external payment network and/or service, a media network, aRich Site Summary (RSS) feed network, a private network, a publicnetwork, a Bluetooth™ network, an automated clearing house (ACH)network, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, or the like.

Internal network components 118 include a gateway 112, which iscommunicatively coupled to visiting network 110. External terminal 102communicates with internal network components 118 through visitingnetwork 110. Gateway 112 translates communication network protocols toenable proper communication between visiting network 110 and internalnetwork components 118. Gateway 112 also includes any number ofcommunication network modules depending on the characteristics ofvisiting network 110 and internal network components 118. For instance,gateway 112 can include a firewall, a network address resolution table,a proxy for address translation, a session border controller, etc. (allnot shown).

Another internal network component 118 is a security services module114. Security services module 114 is communicatively coupled to gateway112, and performs security functions such as encryption, decryption, keymanagement, and/or any other functions suitable for ensuring thesecurity, confidentiality, and/or integrity of data communicatedthroughout system 100.

Another internal network component 118 is home value module 106, whichincludes a memory or other electronic storage device (not shown) thatelectronically stores information related to electronic assets owned bythe issuer. For example, home value 106 can store data entriesrepresenting credit, deposits, loyalty points, reward points, media, andthe like. Each data entry of home value 106 has a value-base and anassociated quantitative and/or qualitative value that also are stored inthe memory (not shown) and are used by trust mediator 116 in order toassess security risks associated with that particular data entry.

Internal network components 118 also include a value mediator 104, whichvaluates electronic assets owned by an entity other than the issuer.These assets have a value-base other than the value-bases stored in homevalue 106. Value mediator 104 thus enables quantification and exchangeof value across different value-bases. In addition, by valuating theseassets, value mediator 104 enables risk magnitude quantificationassociated with these assets to be computed by trust mediator 116. Forexample, if the value of the transaction or commerce was an assetcalculated by value mediator 104, then this computed value is input totrust mediator 116 to react by changing one or more protections,countermeasures, or policies related to the asset.

Trust mediator (TM) agents 108 a-108 f (collectively 108) are deployedon external terminal 102, visiting network 110, gateway 112, securityservices module 114, value mediator 104, and home value module 106,respectively. TM agents 108 detect and assess security-relatedinformation collected from one or more sensors corresponding to eachrespective network component and communicate this information to trustmediator 116. The sensors measure a physical quantity, such as anelectronic signal or other data, and convert it into a signal which canbe read by an observer and/or by an instrument, such as one or more ofthe TM agents 108 or trust mediator 116. Trust mediator 116, in turn,communicates instructions to one or more of the TM agents 108 to modifyimplementation of security safeguards. Trust mediator 116 also assessesinformation received from the TM agents 108 and determines whetherand/or how to modify security safeguards according to security and/ortrust mediation algorithms that can be singular or a summation of pluralsafeguards and countermeasures interchangeable based on security goals.

FIG. 2 includes a more detailed diagram of an external terminal 102 ofsome embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, system 200 shows thatthe exemplary external terminal 102 includes a processor 204, which iscoupled through a communication infrastructure (not shown) to an inputinterface 208, an output interface 212, a communication interface 202, amemory 206, and a storage device 210.

External terminal 102 receives user input from user 122 via inputinterface 208. Example input interfaces 208 include a keypad, atrackball, a touch screen, a microphone, a mouse, etc. Input interface208 forwards the received user input to processor 204 for furtherprocessing. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the user input is processedby processor 204 to carry out financial transactions, define userexpectation of trust, define user expectation of convenience, etc.,which are described below in further detail with reference to FIG. 3.

External terminal 102 presents output to user 122 via output interface212. Example output interfaces 212 include a graphical display, an audioloudspeaker, a light-emitting diode (LED), etc. Output interface 212receives output from processor 204 and communicates the output to user122 via a user interface, such as a graphical and/or audio interface, toenable user 122 to carry out financial transactions, etc.

External terminal 102 also includes a main memory 206, such as randomaccess memory (RAM). Main memory 206 is used by processor 204 to storedata and/or instructions associated with running computer programs.External terminal 102 also includes a storage device 210, which storesdata and/or instructions associated with computer programs. Storagedevice 210 (which is sometimes referred to as “secondary memory”) mayinclude, for example, a hard disk drive and/or a removable storagedrive, representing a disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical diskdrive, etc. As will be appreciated, storage device 210 may include acomputer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer softwareand/or data.

In alternative embodiments, storage device 210 may include other similardevices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into the external terminal 102. Such devices may include, forexample, a removable storage unit and an interface, a removable memorychip such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), orprogrammable read only memory (PROM) and associated socket, and otherremovable storage units and interfaces, which allow software and data tobe transferred from the removable storage unit to the external terminal102.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, storage device 210 stores data and/orinstructions corresponding to one or more sensor(s) 216 as well dataand/or instructions corresponding to TM agent 108 a. Processor 204 maycopy portions of the instructions corresponding to sensor 216 and/or TMagent 108 a from storage device 210 to main memory 206 for execution byprocessor 204. Each sensor 216 measures a physical quantity and convertsit into sensor data that is stored as a corresponding risk variable byTM agent 108 a in storage device 210. As described in further detailbelow with respect to FIG. 4, TM agent 108 a communicates the riskvariable to trust mediator 116, based on data reporting instructionsreceived from trust mediator 116.

External terminal 102 also includes communication interface 202 toprovide connectivity to a network, such as visiting network 110 and/oradditional network(s) 214. As discussed below with reference to FIG. 4,visiting network 110 provides connectivity between external terminal 102and an issuer's internal network components 118, enabling user 122 touse external terminal 102 to carry out financial transactions with anaccount issued by the issuer. Additional network(s) 214 may include aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) network, the Internet, and/or otherproprietary networks.

In an embodiment where additional network(s) 214 includes a GPS network,communication interface 202 may receive data from the GPS networkrelating to geographic positioning of external terminal 102.Communication network 202 also enables software and data to betransferred between external terminal 102 and other external devices(not shown), such as external sensors. Examples of communicationinterface 202 may include a modem, a network interface such as anEthernet card, a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc. Software and datatransferred via communication interface 202 are in the form of signalswhich may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signalscapable of being received by communication interface 202. These signalsare provided to and/or from communication interface 202 via acommunications path, such as a channel. This channel carries signals andmay be implemented by using wire, cable, fiber optics, a telephone line,a cellular link, an RF link, and/or other suitable communicationschannels.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process 300 for adaptingsecurity measures of a communication network based on dynamic feedbackin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, variables used throughout process 300 are initializedwith seed values. These variables are stored in a memory or otherelectronic storage device (not shown) located in one or more of internalnetwork components 118. Example variables include values, attributes,and weighting factors for electronic assets, a user expectation oftrust, a user expectation of convenience, an attack time, a safeguardtime, a transaction location profile for user 122, a transaction timeprofile for user 122, etc. As process 300 progresses, the initial valuesof the variables are updated based on feedback processes and probeswhich are described in further detail below.

A broad spectrum of risks are managed by dynamically measuring variousrisk factors using TM agents 108 a-108 f that are fed data from theirassociated sensors (not shown) as well as security-related informationretrieved from other information sources, such as risk engines, risknetworks, etc. Each sensor measures a physical quantity and converts itinto a signal that is stored as a risk variable by the TM agents 108a-108 f, respectively, and is forwarded to the trust mediator 116, asnecessary. Sensors and sensor data are described in more detail belowwith reference to FIG. 4.

At block 306, one or more of TM agents 108 a-108 f collects data fromone or more corresponding sensors and communicates the data in the formof risk variables to trust mediator 116. As described in further detailbelow with reference to FIG. 4, TM agents 108 a-108 f report data totrust mediator 116 by implementing specific data reporting techniquesspecified by trust mediator 116.

Other information communicated by TM agents 108 a-108 f to trustmediator 116 includes data relating to safeguards currently deployedthroughout system 100. Trust mediator 116 uses this data to computesafeguard time (which may also be referred to as protection time). Inparticular, trust mediator 116 computes safeguard time as the totalamount of secure time (time during which system 100 is rendered secure)provided by all the security safeguards that are currently in place insystem 100 from end to end. Once trust mediator 116 computes safeguardtime, the computed value of safeguard time replaces the initializedvalue of safeguard time discussed above.

As described above, TM agents 108 a-108 f communicate to trust mediator116 data relating to current security threats present throughout system100. Trust mediator 116 uses this data to compute attack time for thecurrent threats. Attack time is an amount of time it would take for adetected threat to circumvent the currently running safeguards. Forexample, if a particular encryption algorithm is used as the currentsafeguard, then the attack time is the risk factor, in time, predictedfor a computer with the average computing power to crack the protectionmechanisms, which can include the encryption algorithm, pairing, and/orauthentication, using brute force or cryptanalysis methods. Once trustmediator 116 computes the attack time, the computed value of attack timereplaces the initialized value of attack time discussed above.

User 122 inputs data relating to user expectation of trust intoprocessor 204 via input interface 208. TM agent 108 a receives the datarelating to user expectation of trust from processor 204 andcommunicates this data to trust mediator 116 via communication interface202. Trust mediator 116 uses this data to compute a user expectation oftrust for user 122. User expectation of trust represents the level ofprotection required by user 122 in connection with particulartransactions, and can be based on the type of transaction requested byuser 122 via external terminal 102. For example, user 122 may require ahigher level of security (and hence a higher safeguard time) fortransactions over a certain amount of money. Once trust mediator 116computes user expectation of trust, the computed value of userexpectation of trust replaces the initialized value of user expectationof trust discussed above.

TM agent 108 a also receives user input from external terminal 102relating to user expectation of convenience and communicates thisinformation to trust mediator 116. Trust mediator 116 uses thisinformation to compute a user expectation of convenience for user 122.User expectation of convenience represents the maximum inconveniencethat user 122 will accept in association with safeguards. Userexpectation of convenience also is based on the type of transactionrequested by user 122 via external terminal 102. For example, user 122may be unwilling to accept the inconvenience associated with requiringuser 122 to submit to a biometric identification process, such as aniris scan, for a transaction of $5. Once trust mediator 116 computesuser expectation of convenience, the computed value of user expectationof convenience replaces the initialized value of user expectation ofconvenience discussed above.

TM agents 108 a-108 f communicate data to trust mediator 116 relating tosecurity threats of internal network components 118 and external networkcomponents 120. Trust mediator 116 stores this data in a memory (notshown) for use in quantifying security risk and determining theappropriate safeguards to counter the risk.

At block 304, trust mediator 116 compares the computed value ofsafeguard time to the computed value of attack time to determine whetherthe safeguard time provided by the currently running safeguards is lessthan the attack time. If trust mediator 116 determines that thesafeguard time is greater than or equal to the attack time, then system100 is considered secure, in other words, there is no time period duringwhich the system 100 is exposed to threats. In this case, the procedurecontinuously repeats block 304 using updated information, if any,communicated at block 306 from TM agents 108 to trust mediator 116. Inthis way, the procedure is recursive and is able to continuously anddynamically adapt to changes in security characteristics.

If trust mediator 116 determines, however, that safeguard time is lessthan attack time, then the procedure continues to block 308. At block308, trust mediator 116 determines whether the current safeguard timesatisfies the computed user expectation of trust and the computed userexpectation of convenience. This determination includes comparing thecomputed safeguard time against both the computed user expectation oftrust and the computed user expectation of convenience. Safeguard timefails to satisfy the user expectation of trust if the safeguard timeprovided by the currently running safeguards is less than the minimumsecurity level user 122 will accept for the transaction (e.g., onlyrequiring a mother's maiden name for a $10,000 transaction). Safeguardtime also fails to satisfy the user expectation of convenience if theinconvenience associated with the currently deployed safeguards exceedsthe maximum inconvenience user 122 will accept for the transaction(e.g., requiring an iris scan for a $5 transaction). If the trustmediator 116 determines that the safeguard satisfies both userexpectation of trust and user expectation of convenience then theprocedure progresses to block 310.

At block 310, user 122 uses external terminal 102 to input informationrelating to user expectation of trust, user expectation of convenience,and/or safeguards, as desired. Trust mediator 116 stores and uses thisinformation to compute an equilibrium point that optimally balances userexpectation of trust and user expectation of convenience for user 122based on transaction characteristics. For example, if the stored userexpectation data indicates that user 122 typically requires morerigorous safeguards (higher safeguard time) for transactions involvingamounts above $1,000 than for those below $1,000, trust mediator 116uses more rigorous safeguards for transactions above $1,000 and lessrigorous safeguards for transactions below $1,000. This increases user's122 satisfaction with system 100 because both trust and convenience areoptimized and personalized for individual users 122.

After block 308 or block 310, as the case may be, the procedureprogresses to block 312. If trust mediator 116 determines at block 308that safeguard time satisfies user expectation of trust and userexpectation of convenience, then at block 312 trust mediator 116enables, disables, and/or modifies one or more safeguards according tothe information input by user 122 at block 310, if any.

Alternatively, if trust mediator 116 determines at block 308 thatsafeguard time fails to satisfy user expectation of trust and/or userexpectation of convenience, then at block 312 trust mediator 116enables, disables, and/or modifies safeguards according to one or moretrust mediation algorithm(s).

Example safeguard modifications include increasing a key length,changing an encryption algorithm, changing an authentication method,etc. Safeguard modifications help thwart attackers' attempts tocircumvent safeguards. For example, changing an encryption key and/or anencryption algorithm during run-time increases the difficulty of anattacker successfully circumventing the encryption. Additional safeguardmodifications associated with particular sensors are described belowwith reference to FIG. 4.

One variable that is used by trust mediator 116 in determining whetherand/or how to modify safeguards for a transaction is the risk associatedwith transaction data (electronic assets) stored in and/or communicatedthroughout system 100. Trust mediator 116 computes risk as the productof a value (magnitude) of specific transaction data and the probabilitythat the specific transaction data will be compromised.

The value of the specific transaction data is determined in one of twoways depending on the value-base of the specific transaction data. Ifthe transaction data is based on a value-base stored in home value 106(e.g., U.S. dollars, euros, etc.), then home value 106 computes thevalue of the specific transaction data based on that value-base. Homevalue 106 computes the value of the specific transaction data andcommunicates the value to trust mediator 116 for computing the riskassociated with the specific transaction data.

If the specific transaction data is based on a value-base that is notstored in home value 106 (e.g., an unknown currency), then valuemediator 104 computes the value of the specific transaction data using avaluation formula, which could be supported by one or multiple valuetransitions to reach like terms and comparable mediation weights. Valuemediator 104 enables trust mediator 116 to assess risk for values notbased on value-bases stored in home value 106, and enables transfer ofvalue across value-bases. Inputs to the valuation formula includeattributes of the specific transaction data as well as weighting factorscorresponding to each of the attributes. Examples of the attributes ofspecific transaction data include: an owner of the specific transactiondata, a time or location of the associated transaction, a currency ofthe specific transaction data, and the like.

As mentioned above, if user 122 has not yet used system 100 to completeany transactions, then initialized values of the attributes and theweighting factors are used in the valuation formula. Over time, as user122 completes transactions using system 100, the values of theattributes and the weighing factors are updated in the memory (notshown) and are used in the valuation and risk formula.

If the values of the attributes and weighting values converge over time,then trust mediator 116 uses the converged values of the attributes of auser's 122 transactions to assess risk of future transactions. Theseconverged values are used by trust mediator 116 in computing theprobability that specific transaction data will be compromised. Forexample, if the converged values for user 122 indicate that user 122typically enters transactions during a particular time and/or at aparticular geographical location, then trust mediator 116 increases theprobability that specific transaction data will be compromised for anytransaction from user 122 that originates at a different time and/orlocation than those indicated by the converged data. Conversely, trustmediator 116 decreases the probability that specific transaction datawill be compromised for any transaction from user 122 that originates atapproximately the time and/or location indicated by the converged data.Thus, exposure to risk is minimized through continuous dynamicimprovement and convenience equilibrium for user 122 is maximized. Valuemediator 104 transmits the computed value of the specific transactiondata to trust mediator 116 for computing the risk associated with thespecific transaction data.

As mentioned above, trust mediator 116 collects data from TM agents 108using various data reporting techniques, such as polling-basedreporting. Trust mediator 116 can also use polling-based reporting toperiodically poll TM agents 108 a-108 f and request data relating todetection time, which is the time required for TM agents 108 a-108 f todetect threats. Trust mediator 116 also keeps track of the reactiontime, which is the time taken for system 100 to react to previouslydetected threats by implementing adjusted safeguards. If trust mediator116 determines that safeguard time is less than the product of thedetection time and the reaction time, then trust mediator 116 increasesthe rate at which it polls TM agents 108 a-108 f to decrease thedetection time.

From block 312, the procedure progresses to block 314. At block 314,trust mediator 116 determines whether modifications to the safeguardsdetermined at block 312 satisfy the attack time, the user expectation oftrust, and the user expectation of convenience. If the trust mediator116 determines that the safeguards fail to satisfy the attack time, theuser expectation of trust, and/or the user expectation of convenience,then the procedure repeats block 312 to further modify the safeguards asneeded. If trust mediator 116 determines that the safeguards satisfy theattack time, the user expectation of trust, and the user expectation ofconvenience, then the procedure progresses to block 316.

If more than one safeguard (e.g., protection method) is selected forimplementation by trust mediator 116, then the total protection includesa sum of the multiple selected protection methods. In other words, theprotection is not one-dimensional, but instead is multi-dimensional.That is, multiple layers or dimensions of protection are provided, whichfurther reduces risk exposure.

In one embodiment, each particular multi-dimensional combination ofprotection methods selected represents a specific protection signature.Similarly, each particular multi-dimensional combination ofsecurity-related information (e.g., threats, exploits, attacks, etc.)communicated to trust mediator 116 at block 306 represents a specificattack signature. Rules are defined that match specific protectionsignatures to specific attack signatures. In this way, when the detectedattack signature changes, trust mediator 116 changes the protectionsignature to react accordingly. Thus, multi-dimensional protection isprovided as a response to multi-dimensional attacks.

In another embodiment, the rules do not simply authorize or deny atransaction solely in response to detecting any particularone-dimensional security threat. Instead, the rules involve a summationof the current multi-dimensional protection and attack signatures, and abalance of the risk of loss against opportunity cost. In particular,trust mediator 116 computes a risk of loss associated with permitting atransaction to continue, based on the summation of the currentmulti-dimensional protection and attack signatures. Trust mediator 116then computes an opportunity cost associated with denying thetransaction, based on the current value of exposure (e.g., thetransaction amount).

The risk of loss is balanced against the opportunity cost using a tableof rules. The table of rules defines, for each value of exposure, athreshold of a maximally permissible risk of loss. In response to achange in attack signature, trust mediator 116 can dynamically changethe protection signature (e.g., by using a stronger combination ofprotection methods), but is limited to selecting a protection signaturethat results in a risk of loss within the maximally permissible risk ofloss for the current value of exposure. If, for the current attacksignature and value of exposure, no protection signature exists in theprotection matrix that can keep the risk of loss within the maximallypermissible risk of loss, then trust mediator 116 may deny thetransaction. The risk of loss is thus balanced against the opportunitycost so as to minimize exposure to risk while also minimizinginterruptions to commerce.

In one respect, denying a legitimate $10 transaction may be consideredthe same loss of value as a theft of $10. By implementing the balancingrules, not only are losses due to theft minimized, but losses due todenials of legitimate transactions also are minimized.

Trust mediator 116 can also include time as a factor in computing therisk of loss and the opportunity cost. For instance, in computing therisk of loss, trust mediator 116 computes a period of time during whichthe current protection signature will remain effective against thecurrent attack signature.

In addition, rather than enforcing the thresholds of maximallypermissible risks of loss for each individual transaction, thethresholds can be enforced for averages of multiple transactionscompleted over time. For instance, trust mediator 116 can compute arunning average of the risks of loss for multiple transactions. Ifmultiple transactions having a risk of loss appreciably lower than themaximally permissible risk of loss are accumulated, then trust mediator116 may permit a transaction having a risk of loss higher than themaximally permissible risk of loss, so long as the running average ofthe risk of loss does not exceed the maximally permissible risk of loss.In this way, an acceptable average risk of loss is maintained, whilepermitting the completion of transactions that may have otherwise beendeemed too risky.

At block 316, the trust mediator 116 communicates the safeguardmodifications (e.g., protection method(s)) to one or more of the TMagents 108 a-108 f. For instance, the trust mediator 116 communicateschanges in safeguards relating to security services to security servicesmodule 114 to implement the new security services and safeguards (e.g.,a different encryption/decryption algorithm). In this case, thesafeguard modification is sent to at least two network components,namely, the component that performs the encrypting of data and thecomponent that performs the decrypting of data. In one embodimentsecurity services module 114 implements security applications based onthe Diameter protocol and/or other authentication, authorization andaccounting (or AAA) protocols.

From block 316, the procedure repeats block 304 with new informationcommunicated from TM agents 108 at block 306, if any exists. In thisway, the procedure is recursive and thus is able to continuously anddynamically adapt to changes in the security situation as they ariseover time and/or the particular location of external terminal 102. User122 can thus use external terminal 102 to complete financialtransactions using system 100 while experiencing an adaptive level ofsecurity that is both effective and convenient. Moreover, issuers canenable consumers to use their financial transaction accounts over theirmobile telephones to complete transactions in various geographicallocations, while maintaining an adaptive level of security that iseffective and not over burdensome for user 122.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram showing an exemplary procedure 400 forcollecting data from sensors and reporting the data to trust mediator116. As shown in FIG. 4, process 400 includes three parallelsub-processes 416, 418, and 420, which may operate synchronously orasynchronously with respect to each other. It should be understood thatalthough FIG. 4 shows process 400 being implemented in connection withTM agent 108 a and external terminal 102, this is by way of example, andis not limiting. In fact, process 400 may also be implemented by one ormore of TM agents 108 b-108 f in association with their respectivenetwork components. Similarly, the sensors, sensor data, and sensingtechniques described below with reference to TM agent 108 a may also beimplemented by one or more of TM agents 108 b-108 f.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, sub-process 416 shows an exemplaryprocedure for collecting sensor data from sensor(s) 216 and updatingrisk variables in storage 210. Sensor data, in this context, may alsoinclude security-related information retrieved by trust mediator 116and/or one or more of TM agents 108 a-108 f from risk engines, risknetworks, and other information sources, as discussed above. Initially,processor 204 retrieves computer program instructions corresponding toTM agent 108 a from storage 210, and loads the instructions into mainmemory 206 for execution. At block 402, processor 204 initializes riskvariable(s) stored in storage 210 based on the computer programinstructions corresponding to TM agent 108 a.

At block 404, processor 204 receives sensor data and/or othersecurity-related information from sensor(s) 216. Sensor data is used bytrust mediator 116 as input into one or more risk models, to computerisk related to a particular transaction. One exemplary risk modeldefines risk as the product of a magnitude of loss and a probability ofloss associated with a particular transaction. As described above withreference to FIG. 3, the magnitude of loss is computed by trust mediator116 based on data received in association with value mediator 104 andhome value 106. The probability of loss is computed based on, amongother things, sensor data. That is, sensor data is used by trustmediator 116 in computing the probability that a specific transactionwill be a loss, and this computation impacts the computation of theoverall risk for the transaction. By using sensor data to compute anoverall risk for the transaction, trust mediator 116 can adjust a riskpolicy by modifying safeguards as necessary to maintain an acceptablelevel of risk.

Systems 100 and 200 may contain numerous types of sensors that sensecorresponding types of physical quantities and/or data to provide trustmediator 116 with as complete a set of inputs as possible for computingrisk. Regardless of the type of sensor, each sensor provides sensor datato one or more of TM agents 108 a-108 f, and the sensor data isconverted into a signal that is stored in a corresponding risk variable,which in turn is communicated to trust mediator 116. At block 406,processor 204 updates risk variable(s) stored in storage 210 based onsensor data received from sensor(s) 216. Sub-process 416 is thenrepeated so as to maintain up-to-date risk variable(s) in storage 210.

In some cases, a sensor may be unable to provide up-to-date data to oneor more of TM agents 108 a-108 f because, for example, the sensor ismalfunctioning, user 122 has not input the type of data that the sensoris configured to sense, the sensor is not applicable to the type oftransaction requested by user 122, or the like. In the event that asensor malfunctions and fails to report data to one or more of TM agents108 a-108 f, the corresponding TM agent 108 a-108 f transmits to trustmediator 116 data indicating that the sensor is malfunctioning. Forexample, this data can be included in a header field associated with arisk variable. If a sensor is not malfunctioning but is unable toprovide up-to-date information for another reason, the corresponding TMagent 108 a-108 f transmits to trust mediator 116 data indicating thatthe sensor data is not up-to-date. This data can be included in anadditional header field associated with a data packet carrying a riskvariable. The corresponding TM agent 108 a-108 f can determine whethersensor data from a particular sensor is up-to-date based on apredetermined time threshold such that data that was collected at a timethat exceeds the predetermined time threshold is no longer consideredup-to-date. In this way, trust mediator 116 implements a security policyby collecting data to the extent possible from sensors and theirassociated TM agents 108 a-108 f.

One example type of sensor is a tactile sensor that converts pressure,electrical, and/or electromagnetic phenomena, such as vibrations, into asignal that is stored in a corresponding risk variable. An exemplarytactile sensor is a biometric sensor that senses and converts a physicalcharacteristic of a human, such as user 122, into a value that is storedin another risk variable. The biometric sensor converts a fingerprint ofuser 122 into data that is used to authenticate the identity of user122. In addition, one or more tactile sensors can be incorporated into,and/or coupled onto, external terminal 102 to periodically sense datarelating to the geometry of how user 122 holds and/or moves externalterminal 102. The geometric data is used by TM agent 108 a and/or trustmediator 116 to compute and store a geometric signature corresponding touser 122. TM agent 108 a and/or trust mediator 116 compares theperiodically sensed geometric data to the stored geometric signature toauthenticate the identity of user 122.

Another type of sensor is a speed sensor that converts speed to a valuethat is stored in another risk variable. The speed sensor stores, in arisk variable, speed data indicating a speed at which external terminal102 is traveling. Trust mediator 116 uses the speed data to determinethe likelihood of whether successive transactions originating fromdistinct locations are fraudulent or are due to the traveling of user122.

Another type of sensor is an accelerometer that senses and convertsorientation, vibration, and/or shock into a value that is stored inanother risk variable. The accelerometer is incorporated into, and/orcoupled onto, external terminal 102 to periodically sense data relatingto the acceleration of external terminal 102 due to repositioning ofexternal terminal 102 by user 122. The acceleration data is used by TMagent 108 a and/or trust mediator 116 to compute and store anacceleration signature corresponding to user 122. TM agent 108 a and/ortrust mediator 116 compares the periodically sensed acceleration data tothe stored acceleration signature to authenticate the identity of user122.

Still another type of sensor is a software sensor, such as sensor(s) 216shown in FIG. 2, that senses changes in usage of external terminal 102based on, e.g., data inputted into external terminal 102, data outputtedby external terminal 102, etc., and stores the result in another riskvariable. Sensor 216 is described in further detail below, withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As discussed above, in addition to sensor data, security-relatedinformation is collected and aggregated by trust mediator 116 from riskengines, risk networks, and other available information sources. Riskengines and risk networks retrieve security-related information fromother sources and provide the information to users to inform them ofvarious ongoing security risks. Examples of risk engines and/or risknetworks include RSA™ Risk Engine, McAfee™ Threat Center, Symantec™Threatcon, and ESET™ Virus Radar. Examples of other informationcollected by trust mediator 116 include statistics from the U.S. FederalEmergency Management Agency and statistics from the U.S. Department ofHomeland Security. Security-related information from these types ofinformation sources are collected and aggregated across multipleproviders, and then translated by using application programminginterfaces (APIs) integrated into trust mediator 116 and/or one or moreof TM agents 108 a-108 f to manage a dynamic risk policy. Trust mediator116 and/or one or more of TM agents 108 a-108 f also use one or more webcrawlers to browse the Internet to retrieve security-relatedinformation.

As discussed above, trust mediator 116 and/or one or more of TM agents108 a-108 f aggregate information of multiple distinct types. Forexample, financial transaction-related information is aggregated withinformation unrelated to financial transactions. If onlytransaction-related information were monitored, then a security systemmay determine that a cardholder shopping in multiple geographicallydistant locations in a relatively small period of time is fraudulent, byassuming that the cardholder could not have traveled so far so quickly.Trust mediator 116, however, by aggregating the transaction-related dataalong with data retrieved from, e.g., the cardholder's mobile phonerecords indicating calls originating from locations corresponding to thetransaction locations, can determine that the transactions are lesslikely to be fraudulent.

Upon collecting and aggregating security-related information from riskengines, risk networks, etc., trust mediator 116 and/or one or more ofTM agents 108 a-108 f filter the security-related information accordingto one or more filter criteria. The security-related information is thentranslated according to one or more translation and/or valuationalgorithms to obtain like terms and comparable mediation weights. Thesecurity-related information is then funneled into one or morestatistical models to compute risk score(s) corresponding to specifictransactions and/or to specific protection mechanisms, and the like.Trust mediator 116 manages the dynamic risk policy by making specificsecurity decisions, such as enabling a specific protection mechanism,based on these computed risk score(s).

As those skilled in the art will recognize, other types of sensorsand/or information sources can be used and still be within the scope ofthe invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, external terminal 102 may communicate with a GPSnetwork via communication interface 202. In this case, sensor 216collects geographic position data (also referred to as location data) ofexternal terminal 102 from the GPS network, and stores it in acorresponding risk variable, which is communicated to trust mediator 116according to data reporting instructions, as described below. Trustmediator 116 uses location data in various ways to compute theprobability that certain transaction(s) will be a loss (fraudulent).

In one aspect, trust mediator 116 stores time data and location datareceived in connection with multiple transactions for a particularexternal terminal 102. Trust mediator 116 analyzes the stored time dataand location data by comparing them to the time data and location datareceived in connection with a new transaction to determine theprobability that the new transaction is fraudulent. For instance, trustmediator 116 may determine that there is a high probability that the newtransaction is fraudulent if the location data received for the newtransaction is vastly different than that of the stored location data ofa previous transaction, and the time between the two transactions is toominimal to reasonably believe that user 122 has traveled between the twolocations.

Trust mediator 116 can also enable user 122 to register one or moregeographic regions as safe regions for external terminal 102, such thatthe trust mediator 116 can implement less strict security policies fortransactions carried out in these regions using external terminal 102.For example, user 122 may register his or her state of primary residenceas a safe region. In a similar aspect, trust mediator 116 enables user122 to register one or more geographic regions as dangerous regions forexternal terminal 102, such that the trust mediator 116 can implementmore strict security policies for transactions carried out in theseregions using external terminal 102. For example, user 122 may registera state in which rampant identity theft has been reported to be adangerous region. Movement slightly inside a dangerous region does notnecessarily cause a transaction to be denied. Instead, in conjunctionwith other criteria, such as a quantity of fraudulent transactions thathave been reported as having originated near the location of externalterminal 102, trust mediator 116 computes a new risk factor. If the newrisk factor exceeds a predetermined threshold, trust mediator 116 deniesthe transaction.

In addition, trust mediator 116 can store data representing the quantityof fraudulent transactions that have occurred, or that have beenreported, based on location (e.g., any delineated geographic region suchas a country, a state, a territory, a custom-delineated geographicregion, etc.). Trust mediator 116 analyzes location data received inconnection with a new transaction, determines a region to which thelocation corresponds, and determines the quantity of fraudulenttransactions that have occurred/been reported in that region. Trustmediator 116 implements a more strict security policy for transactionscarried out using external terminal 102 in a region of high fraudulenttransactions than those carried out in a region of low fraudulenttransactions. Trust mediator 116 may store multiple predetermined risktiers that each correspond to a specific range of quantities of reportedfraudulent transactions. Trust mediator 116 may then implementpredefined security policies for transactions based on the specific risktier to which the transactions correspond.

Also, sensor(s) 216 can sense data inputted into external terminal 102to determine a type of transaction requested by user 122. Examples oftypes of transactions user 122 may request include a purchase at apoint-of-sale (POS) device, a transfer of funds from an account of user122 to that of another user, a mobile-to-mobile fund transfer, atransfer of funds between two accounts commonly owned by user 122, arequest for data stored in one of internal network components 118 inassociation with an account of user 122, a request to modify data storedin one of internal network components 118 in association with an accountof user 122, and the like. If user 122 initiates a new transaction,trust mediator 116 may increase or lower the level of the implementedsecurity policy, by modifying the appropriate security safeguards basedon the type of transaction indicated by the corresponding risk variable.

Additionally, sensor(s) 216 can sense payload data inputted intoexternal terminal 102 to determine which portions of messages areencrypted, and if so, which specific encryption algorithm was used toencrypt each encrypted message portion. Trust mediator 116 receives thisdata in the form of risk variables from TM agent 108 a, and uses thisdata, along with similar data received from one or more of TM agents 108b-108 f, to identify the vulnerable data paths of the system anddetermine their impact on the probability that a certain transactionwill be a loss. Data paths between certain network terminals may havedifferent inherent vulnerabilities than others. Similarly, certainencryption methods may have different inherent vulnerabilities thanothers. A certain block of data may, for example, be encrypted fortransmission from external terminal 102 to visiting network 110, andthen be decrypted for transmission between visiting network 110 andgateway 112. Trust mediator 116 uses this payload data in determininghow to modify safeguards to implement an acceptable security policy. Forexample, trust mediator 116 may communicate instructions to one or moreof TM agents 108 a-108 f to encrypt data according to specificalgorithms, which may be different from data path to data path. That is,one encryption algorithm may be used between external terminal 102 andvisiting network 110, while a different encryption algorithm is usedbetween visiting network 110 and gateway 112. Alternatively, oneencryption algorithm can be used for multiple data paths, whiledifferent keys are used for each data path.

Sensor(s) 216 also can sense pairing data inputted into externalterminal 102 to enable trust mediator 116 to perform a pairing ofexternal terminal 102 and user 122. Trust mediator 116 uses pairing datato verify that user 122 is authorized to use external terminal 102, andto ensure that user 122 is not, for example, a thief who has stolenexternal terminal 102 and is attempting to carry out fraudulenttransactions. Trust mediator 116 begins to perform a pairing process bypresenting, via output interface 212, a request for user 122 to inputpairing data. Once trust mediator 116 receives the pairing data, thepairing data is compared with other data stored in trust mediator 116 inconnection with external terminal 102 and an associated financialaccount to determine the probability that a certain transaction will befraudulent. Example data that trust mediator 116 may request from user122 includes an amount of the last successful transaction, a location ofthe last successful transaction, personal identification information,etc. If trust mediator 116 determines that the response(s) to therequest(s) are unsatisfactory, trust mediator 116 may notify user 122that an e-mail message including a code will be sent to the e-mailaddress on record for user 122, and that user 122 must input this codeinto external terminal 102 to continue the transaction.

Trust mediator 116 can adjust the pairing requests made to a specificuser 122 based on time data and location data received from externalterminal 102. For instance, if trust mediator 116 determines that thereis a high probability that a new transaction is fraudulent because thelocation data received for the new transaction is vastly different thanthat of the stored location data of the previous transaction, and thetime between the two transactions is too minimal to reasonably believethat user 122 has traveled between the two locations, then trustmediator 116 may increase the security level of the pairing requestsmade to user 122.

Sensor(s) 216 can sense data inputted into external terminal 102 todetermine whether the data has been fraudulently modified at some pointthroughout the data path. For example, trust mediator 116 can instructexternal terminal 102 and/or other terminals to use a hash function tocompute hashes associated with data at specific points throughoutsystems 100 and 200. Sensor(s) 216 then perform their own hashcomputation on specific data to ensure that the hash matches the data.Trust mediator 116 may use different hash functions at different pointsthroughout systems 100 and 200. Alternatively, trust mediator 116 mayalternate between several hash functions at a predetermined timeinterval. This sensing technique can also be used by sensor(s) 216 todetect a covert channel, which are sometimes implemented by modifyinglower-order bits in digital messages to carry a covert message. Forexample, sensor(s) 216 may also use this technique to determine whetherspecific data was inputted via input interface 208, such as a keyboard,or via a covert channel. Trust mediator 116 uses this technique and theassociated sensor data and/or risk variables to compute the probabilitythat a particular transaction will be fraudulent.

Sensor(s) 216 also can sense native application data stored in storagedevice 210 in connection with a native application to determine whetherthe native application has been signed with a digital signature. Thistechnique can be used to ensure the authenticity of the nativeapplication, to ensure that the native application has not been forgedand/or tampered with, and to provide non-repudiation of messages. Trustmediator 116 uses the data relating to native application datasignatures to compute the probability that a particular transaction willbe a fraudulent.

Additionally, sensor(s) 216 can sense data communicated viacommunication interface 202 to determine whether there is more than oneactive communication session per user 122. Sensor(s) 216 monitors theestablishment and the tearing down of communication sessions, to ensurethat only one communication session is open at a given time. Trustmediator 116 uses this technique to detect eavesdropping, covertchannels, etc., and, if necessary, to modify the safeguards asappropriate.

Sensor(s) 216 can sense data communicated via communication interface202 so that TM agent 108 a and/or trust mediator 116 can perform trafficanalysis on the data. In particular, sensor(s) 216 intercepts data andexamines it to determine patterns which may be used to deduceinformation associated with the data. Trust mediator 116 uses thissensor data and/or risk variables to compute the probability that aparticular transaction will be fraudulent. For example, trust mediator116 may compare patterns determined for data communicated viacommunication interface 202 to patterns known to be associated withmalicious software.

In addition, sensor(s) 216 can sense attempts made via communicationinterface 202 to access honeypot data stored in storage device 210 sothat TM agent 108 a and/or trust mediator 116 can monitor and/or recordinformation relating to the attackers of systems 100 and 200. Thehoneypot data has no production value, is separated from legitimate datastored in storage device 210, and may be accessed via a dedicated openproxy. Any attempts to access the honeypot data, therefore, can beassumed to be malicious acts of attackers. Trust mediator 116 uses riskvariables relating to the honeypot data to compute the probability thattransaction(s) carried out with a particular external terminal 102 willbe fraudulent.

Sensor(s) 216 can sense password attempt data inputted by user 122 intoexternal terminal 102 to log password attempts. Trust mediator 116 usesthe password attempt data and/or the associated risk variables tocompute the probability that a particular transaction will befraudulent. For example, if the number of password attempts exceeds acertain predefined threshold, trust mediator 116 may prevent externalterminal 102 from being used to carry out transactions until user 122contacts an account issuer and authenticates his or her identity.

Also, sensor(s) 216 can sense data stored in storage device 210 tocreate a brokered trust between multiple local parties via acommunication protocol, such as Bluetooth™, near-field communication(NFC), and/or any other suitable wired or wireless communicationprotocol. Once two or more users 122 are authenticated, TM agent 108 aand/or trust mediator 116 uses location data of the correspondingexternal terminals 102 collected by sensor(s) 216 from GPS network 214to determine the probability that the two or more users 122 are inrelatively close proximity to each other.

If it is determined that the two or more users 122 are in relativelyclose proximity to each other, TM agent 108 a and/or trust mediator 116can establish a trust between the corresponding two external terminals102 by, for example, providing each external terminal 102 with a token,such as a key. The token is used to establish confidentiality andintegrity between the members of the trust. The current members of thetrust can also vote to broker other external terminals 102 into a trustchain. For example, a trust can be brokered between a first merchant, atwhich user 122 has completed a previous transaction, and a secondmerchant, at which user 122 is attempting to complete anothertransaction. If the POS device of the second merchant has lostconnection with their payment network, the transaction can be completedusing the payment network of the first merchant, and the two merchantscan settle the transaction between each other once the second merchanthas reestablished connection with their payment network.

Sub-process 418 shows an exemplary procedure for receiving and updatingdata reporting instructions from trust mediator 116. At block 408,processor 204 initializes variables that correspond to data reportinginstructions in storage 210. The initialization is performed based oncomputer program instructions included within TM agent 108 a. The datareporting instructions define data reporting techniques to be used by TMagent 108 a to report data to trust mediator 116. In particular, thedata reporting instructions define, for each risk variable and/orcluster of risk variables, an indication of whether the risk variableand/or cluster should be reported to trust mediator 116, and if so, thespecific data reporting technique to be used. Different data reportinginstructions may be used for individual risk variables and/or clustersof risk variables.

Data reporting instructions also define one or more clusters of riskvariables. As discussed above, each external and internal networkcomponent 120 and 118 has one or more associated sensors feeding data tothe respective TM agent 108 a-108 f, and the data is stored in acorresponding risk variable. The one or more risk variables associatedwith a particular network component can be grouped into clusters toderive one or more risk spaces for the network component. Differentclusters and/or risk spaces can be derived by using different riskvariables and/or different data reporting techniques based on variousdata reporting factors. For example, the cluster of risk variables for aparticular network component can be dynamically changed by one or moreof TM agents 108 a-108 f or by trust mediator 116 based on the instantcondition (e.g., environment, location, speed, etc.).

As mentioned above, trust mediator 116 receives data from TM agents 108a-108 f using various data reporting techniques (e.g., event-basedreporting, polling-based reporting, cluster-based reporting, and/orsampling rate-based reporting, etc.). Where event-based reporting isimplemented, TM agents 108 a-108 f detect events, and in response to anyof TM agents 108 a-108 f detecting an event, the corresponding TM agent108 a-108 f communicates updated data related to the event to trustmediator 116. Example events that TM agents 108 a-108 f can detectinclude the connecting of external terminal 102 to visiting network 110,the receipt of a request by external terminal 102 connected to visitingnetwork 110 to complete a financial transaction, the receipt of arequest to associate a new external terminal 102 with a financialaccount of user 122, a change in a condition such as the time orlocation of external terminal 102, etc. Other events detectable by TMagents 108 a-108 f include the receipt of specific sensor data fromsensors. The other TM agents 108, either in parallel or in response to adetection made by TM agents 108 a and 108 b, can detect events such asthe presence of a security threat associated with any of the internaland external network components 118 and 120, the safeguards currently inplace for internal and external network components 118 and 120,information input by user 122 via external terminal 102 regardingexpectation of safeguards, etc.

Where polling-based reporting is implemented, trust mediator 116periodically polls one or more of TM agents 108 a-108 f for updateddata, at a rate determined by trust mediator 116 to be appropriate. Forexample, trust mediator 116 may poll TM agent 108 a for data as to thelocation of external terminal 102 requesting multiple transactions. Ifdata from TM agent 108 a indicates a random shopping pattern becauseexternal terminal 102 is moving rapidly across different externalnetwork components 120 (e.g., because user 122 is on a moving train),trust mediator 116 can signal the other TM agents 108 b-108 f about thisactivity and poll more frequently.

Sampling rate-based reporting can be implemented. Data for each riskspace is collected at a predetermined sampling rate from the sensors inthe cluster by the respective TM agent 108 a-108 f. Sampling rates canbe modified based on the instant condition, and/or based on securitygoals (e.g., goals regarding protection time, detection time, andreaction time, which are further described below). TM agents 108communicate the data for each risk space to trust mediator 116 at a ratecorresponding to the sampling rate.

In addition, data for each risk space can be communicated by one or moreof TM agents 108 a-108 f to trust mediator 116 as a running summation ofmeasurements collected over a predetermined integration time period(also referred to as running summation-based reporting). The integrationtime period can also be modified based on various data collection and/orreporting factors. For example, if the sample rate is set to 2 sampleper second, and trust mediator 116 sets a 10 second integration periodfor a particular TM agent 108 a-108 f, then trust mediator 116 willreceive summations of every consecutive 20 samples from thecorresponding TM agent 108 a-108 f.

Data for each risk space also can be periodically communicated to trustmediator 116 in bursts of data (also referred to as block measurement).The intervals between the block measurements can also be modified basedon data collection and/or reporting factors. TM agents 108 and/or trustmediator 116 can normalize the data that produces each risk space bycomputing a weighted and/or a non-weighted sum of the data from thesensors in the cluster.

At block 410, processor 204 receives data reporting instructions fromtrust mediator 116 via communication interface 202. At block 412,processor 204 stores the data reporting instructions in storage 210 inassociation with TM agent 108 a, overwriting the initialized datareporting instructions with those received from trust mediator 116.Sub-process 418 is then repeated so as to maintain up-to-date datareporting instructions in storage 210. In this way, the data reportingtechniques and/or use of the various risk variable data points andclusters are determined dynamically by trust mediator 116. For example,trust mediator 116 can change the clusters of risk variables for eachnetwork component, and/or change the above-mentioned data reportingtechniques and/or rates, based on detected risks, goals (e.g.,protection time, detection time, and reaction time), and/or otherdynamic factors (e.g., data communicated to trust mediator 116 from oneor more of TM agents 108 a-108 f). This provides system 100 with agreater adaptability and versatility when compared to typical securitysystem network agents, which deny or grant access to network resourcesbased on the current protection mechanisms. TM agents 108 a-108 f, usethe sensors to detect any risk factors that impact a risk profile foreach network component, and in response to the sensing, can not onlydeny or grant access based on the current protection mechanisms, but canalso assist in changing the protection mechanisms so that access andcommerce can continue. In this way, process 400 is dynamic in nature, asopposed to typical network security processes, which are static innature.

Sub-process 420 shows an exemplary procedure for communicating riskvariables to trust mediator 116. At block 414, TM agent 108 acommunicates risk variable(s) stored in storage 210 to trust mediator116 based on the data reporting instructions stored in storage 210. Inthis manner, risk variable(s) are continuously updated based on sensordata, and are communicated to trust mediator 116 in a manner controlledby trust mediator 116. This enables trust mediator 116 to manage a riskpolicy, as described in further detail above with respect to FIG. 3.

The present invention (e.g., systems 100, 200, processes 300, 400, orany part(s) or function(s) thereof) can be implemented using hardware,software or a combination thereof and can be implemented in one or morecomputer systems or other processing systems. However, the manipulationsperformed by the present invention were often referred to in terms, suchas adding or comparing, which are commonly associated with mentaloperations performed by a human operator. No such capability of a humanoperator is necessary, or desirable in most cases, in any of theoperations described herein which form part of the present invention.Rather, the operations are machine operations. Useful machines forperforming the operation of the present invention include generalpurpose digital computers or similar devices.

In fact, in one embodiment, the invention is directed toward one or morecomputer systems capable of carrying out the functionality describedherein. An example of a computer system 500 is shown in FIG. 5.

Computer system 500 includes one or more processors, such as processor504. The processor 504 is connected to a communication infrastructure506 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Varioussoftware embodiments are described in terms of this exemplary computersystem. After reading this description, it will become apparent to aperson skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the inventionusing other computer systems and/or architectures.

Computer system 500 can include a display interface 502 that forwardsgraphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 506(or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on the display unit 530.

Computer system 500 also includes a main memory 508, preferably randomaccess memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory 510. Thesecondary memory 510 can include, for example, a hard disk drive 512and/or a removable storage drive 514, representing a floppy disk drive,a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The removable storagedrive 514 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 518 in awell known manner. Removable storage unit 518 represents a floppy disk,magnetic tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by and written to byremovable storage drive 514. As will be appreciated, the removablestorage unit 518 includes a computer usable storage medium having storedtherein computer software and/or data.

In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 510 can include othersimilar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions tobe loaded into computer system 500. Such devices can include, forexample, a removable storage unit 522 and an interface 520. Examples ofsuch can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such asthat found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as anerasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable readonly memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storageunits 522 and interfaces 520, which allow software and data to betransferred from the removable storage unit 522 to computer system 500.

Computer system 500 can also include a communications interface 524.Communications interface 524 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 500 and external devices. Examples ofcommunications interface 524 can include a modem, a network interface(such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal ComputerMemory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc.Software and data transferred via communications interface 524 are inthe form of signals 528 which can be electronic, electromagnetic,optical or other signals capable of being received by communicationsinterface 524. These signals 528 are provided to communicationsinterface 524 via a communications path (e.g., channel) 526. Thischannel 526 carries signals 528 and can be implemented using wire orcable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radiofrequency (RF) link and other communications channels.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium,”“computer-readable medium,” and “computer-usable medium” are used togenerally refer to media such as removable storage drive 514, a harddisk installed in hard disk drive 512, and/or signals 528. Thesecomputer program products provide software to computer system 500. Theinvention is directed to such computer program products.

Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) arestored in main memory 508 and/or secondary memory 510. Computer programscan also be received via communications interface 524. Such computerprograms, when executed, enable the computer system 500 to perform thefeatures of the present invention, as discussed herein. In particular,the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 504 toperform the features of the present invention. Accordingly, suchcomputer programs represent controllers of the computer system 500.

In an embodiment where the invention is implemented using software, thesoftware can be stored in a computer program product and loaded intocomputer system 500 using removable storage drive 514, hard drive 512 orcommunications interface 524. The control logic (software), whenexecuted by the processor 504, causes the processor 504 to perform thefunctions of the invention as described herein.

In another embodiment, the invention is implemented primarily inhardware using, for example, hardware components such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardwarestate machine so as to perform the functions described herein will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

In yet another embodiment, the invention is implemented using acombination of both hardware and software.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any ofthe above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures illustrated in theattachments, which highlight the functionality and advantages of thepresent invention, are presented for example purposes only. Thearchitecture of the present invention is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it can be utilized (and navigated) in ways otherthan that shown in the accompanying figures.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to thescope of the present invention in any way. It is also to be understoodthat the steps and processes recited in the claims need not be performedin the order presented.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for collecting sensor data over acommunication network, the method comprising: receiving, over acommunication network, sensor data from at least one of a plurality ofsensors; identifying one or more risks based on the received sensordata; selecting, from the plurality of sensors, a cluster of sensorsbased on the one or more identified risks; determining a data reportingtechnique for each sensor of the cluster of sensors based on the one ormore identified risks; and transmitting, to a trust mediator agent overthe communication network, a data reporting instruction identifying thecluster of sensors and the data reporting technique for each sensor ofthe cluster of sensors.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, from the trust mediator agent over the communication network,additional sensor data from the cluster of sensors based on the datareporting technique.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor dataincludes at least one of biometric data, geographic position data,financial transaction data, data defining a financial transaction type,payload data, pairing data, hash function data, digital signature data,communication session data, traffic analysis data, honeypot data,password attempt data, security-related information retrieved from arisk engine, security-related information retrieved from a risk network,security-related information retrieved by a web crawler, and statisticaldata.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data reporting techniqueincludes at least one of event-based reporting, polling-based reporting,sampling rate-based reporting, running summation-based reporting, blockmeasurement-based reporting, reporting an aggregation ofsecurity-related information retrieved from multiple risk engines,reporting an aggregation of security-related information retrieved frommultiple risk networks, and reporting statistics computed based on thesensor data.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting,to the trust mediator agent over the communication network, aninstruction to implement a security safeguard based on at least aportion of the received sensor data.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinthe security safeguard includes at least one of an encryption algorithm,a decryption algorithm, a key length, a checksum, a hash function, anaccess level, a password requirement, and a fingerprint requirement. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the trustmediator agent over the communication network, a transaction request toexecute a financial transaction; and transmitting, over thecommunication network, a response to the transaction request based on atleast a portion of the received sensor data.
 8. A system for collectingsensor data over a communication network, the system comprising: aprocessor; and a memory device accessible by the processor and storingat least one of: computer code executable by the processor, and dataused by the computer code, wherein the processor is configured to:receive, over a communication network, sensor data from at least one ofa plurality of sensors; identify one or more risks based on the receivedsensor data; select, from the plurality of sensors, a cluster of sensorsbased on the one or more identified risks; determine a data reportingtechnique for each sensor of the cluster of sensors based on the one ormore identified risks; and transmit, to a trust mediator agent over thecommunication network, a data reporting instruction identifying thecluster of sensors and the data reporting technique for each sensor ofthe cluster of sensors.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processoris further configured to: receive, from the trust mediator agent overthe communication network, additional sensor data from the cluster ofsensors based on the data reporting technique.
 10. The system of claim8, wherein the sensor data includes at least one of biometric data,geographic position data, financial transaction data, data defining afinancial transaction type, payload data, pairing data, hash functiondata, digital signature data, communication session data, trafficanalysis data, honeypot data, password attempt data, security-relatedinformation retrieved from a risk engine, security-related informationretrieved from a risk network, security-related information retrieved bya web crawler, and statistical data.
 11. The system of claim 8, whereinthe data reporting technique includes at least one of event-basedreporting, polling-based reporting, sampling rate-based reporting,running summation-based reporting, block measurement-based reporting,reporting an aggregation of security-related information retrieved frommultiple risk engines, reporting an aggregation of security-relatedinformation retrieved from multiple risk networks, and reportingstatistics computed based on the sensor data.
 12. The system of claim 8,wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit, to the trustmediator agent over the communication network, an instruction toimplement a security safeguard based on at least a portion of thereceived sensor data.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the securitysafeguard includes at least one of an encryption algorithm, a decryptionalgorithm, a key length, a checksum, a hash function, an access level, apassword requirement, and a fingerprint requirement.
 14. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive, fromthe trust mediator agent over the communication network, a transactionrequest to execute a financial transaction; and transmit, over thecommunication network, a response to the transaction request based on atleast a portion of the received sensor data.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences ofinstructions, the sequences of instructions including instructions,which, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system toperform: receiving, over a communication network, sensor data from atleast one of a plurality of sensors; identifying one or more risks basedon the received sensor data; selecting, from the plurality of sensors, acluster of sensors based on the one or more identified risks;determining a data reporting technique for each sensor of the cluster ofsensors based on the one or more identified risks; and transmitting, toa trust mediator agent over the communication network, a data reportinginstruction identifying the cluster of sensors and the data reportingtechnique for each sensor of the cluster of sensors.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein thesequences of instructions further include instructions, which, whenexecuted by the computer system, cause the computer system to perform:receiving, from the trust mediator agent over the communication network,additional sensor data from the cluster of sensors based on the datareporting technique.
 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the sensor data includes at least one of biometricdata, geographic position data, financial transaction data, datadefining a financial transaction type, payload data, pairing data, hashfunction data, digital signature data, communication session data,traffic analysis data, honeypot data, password attempt data,security-related information retrieved from a risk engine,security-related information retrieved from a risk network,security-related information retrieved by a web crawler, and statisticaldata.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15,wherein the data reporting technique includes at least one ofevent-based reporting, polling-based reporting, sampling rate-basedreporting, running summation-based reporting, block measurement-basedreporting, reporting an aggregation of security-related informationretrieved from multiple risk engines, reporting an aggregation ofsecurity-related information retrieved from multiple risk networks, andreporting statistics computed based on the sensor data.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein thesequences of instructions further include instructions, which, whenexecuted by the computer system, cause the computer system to perform:transmitting, to the trust mediator agent over the communicationnetwork, an instruction to implement a security safeguard based on atleast a portion of the received sensor data.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the security safeguardincludes at least one of an encryption algorithm, a decryptionalgorithm, a key length, a checksum, a hash function, an access level, apassword requirement, and a fingerprint requirement.